Local Navy SEAL dies in Afghanistan

The mother of a local Navy SEAL killed over the weekend in Afghanistan said a "Kevin Ebbert Memorial Fund" has been set up through the Humboldt Area Foundation for people who would like to donate in his name.

Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Ebbert, 32, of Arcata, died Saturday while "supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan," according to a Department of Defense press release. The region is a mountainous area in the center of the country.

Ebbert was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit in Virginia Beach, Va.

In an email to the Arcata Eye, Ebbert's mother Charlie Jordan said her son was a U.S. Navy SEAL, serving his second deployment in Afghanistan. She said he was "poised to return home early next year and start medical school completing his training started as a Corpsman to become an MD. We last spoke about he and his wife Ursula joining Rotary, where he could work in clinics internationally."

Jordan said a memorial service will be scheduled in Arcata.

Lt. David Lloyd, with the Naval Special Warfare Unit Group two, said he could not give out additional details surrounding Ebbert's death. He said Ebbert had been in the Navy about five years.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our teammate who has made the ultimate sacrifice," said Capt. Robert Smith, commander, Naval Special Warfare Group Two, said in an email. "We have lost a courageous patriot who selflessly answered our nation's call to defend freedom and protect us from terrorism."

On the Web: How to help

A "Kevin Ebbert Memorial Fund" has been set up through the Humboldt Area Foundation. Visit the foundation's website at www.hafoundation.org/.